Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The REAL mail. When was the last timeyou received a nice letter, with wordsactually written by a human hand?

Call me a romantic, but that stuff is great.

I was lucky enough to be the receiver ofsomething amazing the other day.

Jo from Missouri was SO kindand sent me a package of WILD PERSIMMONS!You should have seen the smile on myface when I picked up the package!

Now, many of these were pretty ripe,so when it arrived, there was a decent amountof persimmon "pudding" in the package.

No worries though...I picked out the firm ones,and put all the mush in a zip-lock bag,because I totally intend to plant some of thesein Minnesota next week. She said that thesetrees are tough little cookies, so I'm hopefulthat with enough mulch and some idealplacement, they should be alright.

A huge thanks to Jo...I was so touched byyour kindness. I'm sending something to youas soon as you want me to, just let me know.

And you left this message in the package.

Anyone know what it means???

This inspired me. I've got some great littletravel bottles of Healthforce Nutritional Products,and I'd like to offer them to someone whocomments on this very post.The bottles are...Vitamineral Green, Earth, and Fruits of the Earth.They are small though...don't get too excited.Probably a one week supply.

I might randomly pick it, or I mightbe totally inspired and pick a beautiful comment.Not sure which. The winner will get the goods,sent out...Friday...that gives you some time.(P.S....I will only send to the U.S...sorry everyone else,I'm not dealing with customs, and you're already luckyenough to live somewhere else...hehe...)

Your chances are good, and the products are awesome.

I'll contact the winner via email.

In the meantime google "Gift Economy"or check the Wiki link here.The closer we can transform our lives to reflectsome of these principles, especially on a local level,the closer to paradise we become.

Download a great article about it here as well.Its a .pdf file, just so you know.

Thanks everyone! Keep giving!!!Because as you may have heard,it is in the giving, that we receive.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

The weather was kind...it rained as we were driving downand immeadiately as the event was wrapping up.But during the entire get-together,it was really pleasant and everyone had areally good time. HUGE thanks to DJof Java Green for hosting the eventand for being a shining example of humanity.

DJ is a cut above...his story of perseveranceand overcoming adversity should be abook or a documentary...truly living the dream.

I knock many policies of the US government,and I'm not stingy with the social critique of theAmerican way of life, but where else coulda young man from Korea who spoke NOEnglish, come to the USA and in less than 15 years,own and operate an award-winning restaurant?

Such a great guy...he had us as guests at his homeafter the event and served us even MORE food (YEESH!)and lots of liitle goodies...his kombucha coconut beverageis a tasty and original treat for sure.

We all toasted to friends and community...happiness and health.

Sure beats beer!

Also...huge thanks to Philip for driving!We couldn't have made it without you brother!

Side note:Anyone see the article I wrote on WLIR yesterday?I need to keep this message strong...I went so crazy early on in my raw journeybecause I was so locked into the 100% mindframetoo early...I wasnt ready for it, despite all theawesome facts and logic that convinced me.

We've gotta have fun and be happy.Wherever we are on our path, is EXACTLYwhere we are supposed to be.Embrace...enjoy...relax.No guilt.

Friday, September 26, 2008

I've really been reading a bunch of new stuff lately,and this one is an essential piece of work. Seriously.Here is the link from Amazon.com...its on sale.Just GET IT!!! Haha...no really. Its that good.

I had two castings yesterday, and for both I hadto sit around for about 90 minutes, so I was ableto get most of this book read in one day.

While other models were pacing around the room,impatiently grumbling about the wait,I was reading one of the best books of my life.

And the craziest synchronicity happened while doing this.There is a part in this book about Muhammad Ali.The casting agency that I was sitting in was filledwith little figurines of old G.I. Joes and superheroes, andalso old comic posters. Right when I finished readingthe section about Muhammad Ali, I looked up and not morethan 4 feet away from me was a figurine of...Muhammad Ali.I had the craziest chills run down my spine.I closed my eyes, smiled, and said THANK YOU.Look for those signs. They are clues that pointyou in the right direction. Follow them.

I'm going to rent "Ali" soon to see if there is somethingin there that I can absorb. I'm sure there will be.

I could have sat in that casting room listening to musicor blankly stared at the wall, cursing my bad fortunebecause of the excessive wait, but instead, I choseto improve my life by reading something truly inspirational.

This book might be a bit far out for some, but approachit with the open mind that I know we all have,and it can really do wonders for your reality.

Oh...one more thought.I really have to send my thanks out to David Wolfe.Some have said that he is becoming to full of himself,but as far as I'm concerned that has to do with theirown issues...David is attempting to bring us tosuperhero level and I'm really hopeful that this bookis widely read by all...raw or not. It doesn't matter.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Just a page from the excellent book"As the World Burns: 50 Things You Can Do to Stay in Denial"by Derrick Jensen and illustrated by Stephanie McMillan.Click on the pic for a better view."We have been too kind to those whoare destroying the planet. We have beeninexcusably, unforgivably, insanely kind."-Derrick Jensen

I think the cartoon above will ring truefor many of us...a good look in the mirror.Just having positive thoughts and notacting is totally impotent. We have to start steppingoutside of our comfort zones and makingreal change. And that change does NOTcome from Green consumerism. SORRY!

All the while, more species go extinct,more forests fall, more garbage piles up,and more rivers dry up because the golf coursesneed watering. Did you know that in the United States,golf courses consume as much water as humans?

We need a complete restructuring of our lives,and we are smart enough to make it enjoyableand effective at the same time.

There have been massive mistakes madein the past in the name of greed, andits about time we admit it and move onto the real solutions.

Sitting around mediating and being in the momentand putting out good vibrations is a joke as faras making a difference environmentally.These things may help your personal life,but if you dream of a new Earth...manifestation requires serious action...NOW.Those yogis sitting in their caves in the Himalayasneed to come down here and start doing something.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I have been reading you blog for about four months now and I love it.I started eating raw a little over 4 months ago and its the bestdecision I have made, I feel great. I started at 100% right of the batand I dont regret it one bit...I havent had any cooked food since May 15th :)Anyway, I emailing you because I want to plant carrots, kale, andcollard greens this weekend. I have a small concrete patio outsideso my boyfriend is gonna built me a box. We were thinkingabout 3 1/2'' by 4''. We cant make it any larger but we mightbe able to make it a little bit longer. I wanted to know if that isenough space for me to grow those three vegetables and whetherI should by seeds or already grown ones (except for the carrots)?Also, how deep do you think it has to be? Sorry for all the questionsbut you are the only person I know that might have the answers.

The top part of three of my fingers on my right hand are constantlydry sometimes it is so dry that it forms cuts (it started about2 months ago with one finger and then a second one and finally 3).I have been putting Nivea on them and that makes it better until itdries up again. I drink plenty of fluids so I dont know what might becreating the dryness. I went to the doctor and told me to put somecream that would basically change my skin color so "no, thank you".I really dont see how they expect people to use those kind of products.Do you know of anything that I could put on it?I have been drinking cucumber juice so that might help.Anyhow,Thanks for your help,

Keep blogging...I keep forward to reading your blog everyday,

Marie-L.

Hi Marie...thanks for the great questions.

The beauty of the sq foot garden (which is basically what youre doing)is the complete adaptability it has to wherever you decide to grow.I'm assuming by 3 1/2'' and 4'' you meant feet, which is perfect.

Mel, the author and genius of sq. foot gardening thought that 6 incheswas deep enough. If possible, I like to go a little deeper just in case.Lots of boards are available that are 4 feet x 8 inches. This is good.

Equal parts of peat moss (or vermiculite if you like), compost,and potting soil will get you started nicely. I like to add in extraworm castings and some rock dust. All available online,but you're better off getting the soil and compost locallybecause its going to be HEAVY. Its worth the trouble though,because you will be starting your garden with PERFECTION.Thats what I love about this method, no matter where you live,you can start out with the best growing medium available.

I dont know where you live, but there is still time to growthose items, especially if you can cover them with a plasticsheet during the very cold nights. If possible, get seedlingsthat were started 3 weeks-1 month ago from someonewho cares about their plants. Many organic growers willhave extra seedlings started and would be happy to sell you some.

This gives you a great head start, and gets you right throughthat tricky period early on in the growing stage.

You can even do arugula and spinach too...lots of options.

About your fingers...I'm no doctor, but if I had that issuewith my hands, Id be taking loads of MSM with my lemon-water(about 4 tbls a day...for sure!) and rubbing cacao butteron myself whenever possible. Maybe even coconut butter,but I think cacao would be more therapeutic for some reason.You could even mix in some msm with cacao butter and rub itinto your hands. Just an idea...I'm no doctor though ;)(I didn't see the need to spend my 20's inside a classroomin order to help people destroy their diseases and afflictions...not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that).

I'm trying to think of what else you could do.Your body is showing you signs of some distress.Are you getting enough oils in your system?Maybe wearing some gloves after applying the cacao butter?

MSM is in my opinion the key though,but be sure that your diet is balancedwith the fats and oils. An avocado a daycan do wonders for skin and joints.

Here is a great little sunburger we made withsprouts and avocado. Or just blend an avocadowith peaches or pears...1 to 1 ratio, youll love it.

I hope this helped...be sure to send some picsof the garden when its up and running.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Philip from Lovingraw.com was in town yesterday,and called us to have lunch at Quintessence.

Everyone at our table had the Fofu Benedict...WOW.By far the best brunch item I've had.Dan...if you scrap that item from your menu,you will have one (and many other) unhappy campersto deal with...that dish is a GEM.

Philip wanted to hang out in Central Park later onso we went up there and relaxed under a massive walnuttree...it was great. I laid right on the ground and gentlylet the grass tickle my hands and arms.It began to feel vividly electric...no kidding.We're all just energy, right?

We wandered around after that andfound a great drum circle going on.So much life...I have to admitthat it's my own fault I get negative about NY.There is so much beauty to see, and sitting in an apartmentcrabbing about it all won't make it any better.

Thanks Philip for getting me up to Central Park!Its been awhile and I needed it!

Oh right...we went to Pure Take Away afterthat and I picked up the Oreo Ice Cream.Hmmm...I'll stick with the Almond Butter Cup!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

I'm going through withdrawals right now.All I can think about is my garden.

I realized that I became addicted to growing plants.I left so much unfinished business there too.I still need to finish the dome greenhouse.

I still need to chop up fallen leaves and spreadthem over the garden along with rock dust.

Waking up to the sun, and the sounds of the birds.Walking to the garden, and starting an honest day's work.

I feel trapped. Even if I lived in the suburbs I coulddo a sq. foot garden and plant some trees.Here, I can sprout, and I've got those little fig trees.But the sounds of the sirens, the noise of the cars...its just really getting old at this point.I've seen whats possible, and this is not for me anymore.

I go online and buy trees, and for a while it makes mefeel better. I'm like a standard American on the dayafter Thanksgiving...running for the good deals.

Yesterday, I bought two avocado trees, a mango tree,a passion fruit vine, and two more persimmon trees.I can't seem to get enough.Like an addicted gambler pulling the lever one more time.At least my money is wisely spent.

I talked to my dad today and he told methat the garden is looking great.The bees are doing well, despitethe occasional hornet trying to get in.

I want to be there again.I want to give this all up and just garden.I want a reconnection with what I had.

My plan is to stay in NY until Jan 1st.After that...travel until spring returns.

There is a great permaculture scene in Hawaii.Id love to visit the Tree of Life in Patagonia, AZ.I have friends in Monterrey, Mexico and wouldlove to head down to the Carribean and live off ofcoconuts for a while. At least there are options.

All you youngsters out there still in school...PLEASE DONT GET A JOB RIGHT AWAY.FLEE WHILE YOU CAN.You choose your reality...if you want to get locked in,find yourself a good paying job that is too hard to leave.

Modeling has locked me in for so long.I stuck with it because it took so little time,but I feel that its time to move on.I am thankful for everything that has happened,but going to Sedona last week was a wake-up call.

Its all a choice. Stay or leave. Fester or Thrive.We all know when the time is right,but few actually take the steps toward liberation.

Friday, September 19, 2008

I honestly forget sometimes that this wholesite started because of raw food.

Being raw has become such an afterthought now...something so habitual and ingrained in my lifethat I've pretty much moved on to other projects.

However, I've got to stay true to the game.

Remember, by being able to make TASTY rawfood quickly and easily, we can stay on trackand keep energized for the things that really matterin our lives. Too many recipes call for far toomany ingredients, and it just scares some away.

Pears should be in season now.I like pears, but they are tricky...have thembefore a heavy meal and you'll be ok. Have themafter and they are like apples...they will festerin your stomach and could make for some discomfort.

I'm really into blending 1 part fruit with 1 part avocado.This gives it creaminess, and mellows out the sugar,allowing for a more steady absorption and longer-lasting energy throughout the day.

So...1 part pear, 1 part Avocado.I throw in some Vitamineral Green too,because I just can't get enough of that stuff.

Add in some raisins or coconut shavings,maybe some bee pollen or goji berries,and all is well with the world again.

Enjoy! You want more food articles?Let me know!!! I can do it, I promise.

Now the last thing I want to get is political.It's by being political that got our world into this mess.

By walking away from politics,we can empower ourselves not to needthem or to rely on their watered-downpromises of "freedom" and social reform.

That is what self-sufficiency is all about.Self-endowed independence.Producing our own food, water, and energy.Living a life in balance with nature (or close to it)with a core group of family and friends.For a fine (but somewhat rustic example in appearance)check out this article HERE.

We have come to rely on the notion thatwe need authorities to fix everything for us.That they are our symbols of hope.

When it seems that in reality, they are the onestearing this world apart and forcing us to workat jobs we don't love so we can buy stuff we'vebeen deceived into wanting.

You (we) are directly responsible for the realitywe create, and we must empower ourselves to livethat truth every day of our lives. When we finallygive the power back to ourselves, we can beginto re-create the paradise that has been destroyed.

Ok...off that little tangent now...had to say it.

I just wanted to share this video I found,perhaps you have already seen it.Share it with friends and relatives thathave been tricked into thinking that Sarah Palinis someone who is finally going to save them.Although I doubt this would make much difference.

I always would vote for the environment.If some politician is really pro-environment,they seem to be very evolved on other issues too.Strange how that works.Seriously...look into it and see.Those who are anti-environment are usually thesame monsters that seek to take our freedomsand liberties away as well.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

I dont know how many of you checkout my youtube page, but one of myfavorite channels was that of Teabowbraine's.The videos offered were critical of some governmentpolicies and our unsustainable way of life.

Youtube found those videos threatening,and shut the channel down.Youtube doesn't want us to befree of mental slavery.

Luckily, a video was saved and repostedby another user. Here it is below.

The corporations and governments need usto be ignorant so we continue to supporttheir culture of death with our taxes, labor,consumer dollars...without those, they are powerless.

I am just so ready to drop out of all of this.I'm actually scared that by speaking out,some of us might be targeted. I mean,these videos encouraged no violence, theysimply were critical of government policies.

We simply must keep spreading the cultureof life and invest in sustainable lifestyles.We have to keep spreading the knowledgeand tools of true liberation.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Governor Sarah Palin, pictured here above theunarmed Alaskan Caribou she just shot with a high-powered rifle. Observe...the culture of death?Vote Obama...PLEASE. For the sake of the World.

For some reason, I thought that by Sundayevening, the Raw Spirit Fest would have sputteredout, and that if I left around 7pm I wouldnt have missedanything. Like a proper New Yorker, I thought thatif I could get the red-eye flight back to NYC on Sundaynight, I could be back in the city on Monday morning,ready for any castings or auditions.

BIG MISTAKE.Sunday night, I heard, was the best one.Which I find hard to believe, because Saturdaynight was so outrageous and amazing thatI couldn't imagine it being any better...

Anyways, I had to catch the shuttle backto Phoenix at 7pm. The shuttle was just a minivanand I was the only passenger on the way down.Always being the conversationalist, I struck it upwith the driver. What followed blew my mind.

Warning...it gets a little...um...shocking at this point.

I found out that the driver was an ex-Army Ranger.One of the black-ops guys that get into really hairy situations.He served in the first Gulf War and says that he stillwakes up in cold sweats about it frequently.

Upon learning that he was an Army Ranger,I knew that he must have some serious survival skills.

I wanted to know about starting fires by rubbingsticks together and building shelters in the desert,and he starts telling me aboutkilling people with his bare hands.

I went from doing mediations with Gabriel Cousenson Saturday night...envisioning myself as pure peaceand love...and then spreading that vibration acrossthe entire planet, to listening to G.I. Joe telling meabout murdering people without remorse.

The dichotomy could not be more drastic.

This guy was really into hunting too,and he told me that after killing so many animals,killing people doesn't feel very different.(Note: This is HIS feeling...not necessarily the feelingsof all people that kill unarmed animals...you get the idea.)

I was living in the culture of life all weekend,hugging strangers, dancing under the moonlight,and eating live food free of dead animals.

Now, I had an inside look at the culture of death.People that see violence as a solution.People that eat dead food and eat murdered animals.I know we are actually all one, but jeez....

It was truly bone-chilling. Never in my lifehave I sat next to someone who claimedto be a murderer. I was shocked.

He told me about soldiers cutting offthe genitals of Iraqi soldiers in 1991,and what guns I should buy to protect mypermaculture project in Minnesota.Thanks for the tips man...

As bringers of the light,we must simply bring on positive solutionsinstead of fighting the negativity.Because if we fight the negativity, we BECOME IT.

They already win if we decide to fight them.We must stop supporting their culture and putour energy, time, and money into our communitiesof LIFE. Immigrant communities around the worldhave flourished because they have supported eachother and have built a tightly-woven economy for themselves.

We, as people who support peace and love for all creaturesshould do the same. Buy products from companies thatyou know are a part of the solution. Go to classes and workshopsheld by individuals who are contributing to a peaceful world.

We vote with our money, our labor, and our time.Spread the light and the darkness evaporates.

Strangely enough, I was happy that I was in that van.We must experience what we are not to truly knowwhat we really are. I would have preferred to havestayed in Sedona, but that ride somehow made it worthwhile.

Positive vibes are on the way...a great video and update on my Grandma Aggieis coming up very soon...stay tuned!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Without a doubt, one of the best weekends of my life.Top 3 for sure.I would recommend this to everyone, raw or not.Even vegetarian or not. This was just so fun.

When we arrived in Sedona, it was already 1:30 am.The moon was bright, and it lit up the landscapeso beautifully that I seriously got choked up looking at it.

This place is magical. I'm being totally serious here.When I heard about the vortexes and all that stuff,I thought it was really cheesy and didnt believe it.5 minutes after getting out of the vehicle and lookingupon the landscape, that perception changed drastically.

We camped the whole time, and I likely had the mostuncomfortable sleeping situation of anyone in the area.Little pebbles digging into my back, but not caringenough because I was so tired and so excited for whatawaited us the following day.

I must apologize now, I took a pitifully small amount of pictures.I was so in the moment, and just didnt feel like documentingit that much. Usually I'm really good about it, but for some reasonI kept my pics to a very bare minimum.

I recieved great feedback from my talk.Lots of friends were there (hey...at RSF we are ALL friends)and the two talks just breezed by.

Here are some pics of it -

Me talking with my hands again...

A wider angle....

All the speakers were amazing.It felt so great to be around such positivity.

The nights were totally overwhelming.Tribal drum music under the moon and stars,barefoot and connected to the Earth again.I felt transported back hundreds of years ago,and it felt so right. I felt like I had come home.

It was actually too much for my Minnesota psycheto handle all at once. Looking up at the moon and feelingthe good vibrations from everyone around,it was just overwhelming.

My friend Jade and I did some great hikesand found some amazing prickly pear cactus fruits.It is such a great place for foraging.

This land is so unique...I truly felt like I was in another world.And at night...I was speechless.

The one downside of the festival was that everyone hadto leave the festival at 10pm. It was held at a hotel,and there were residential neighbors nearby,so we had to respect the noise level.

A bunch of people went to a club to dance more,but there was no way I was going indoors.We would drive out to the desert and just walk around.It was exactly what I needed.

I live in NYC, so if I ever wanted to go dancing at some club again, I could easily do that.But one thing I can't do is lay on the red groundand stare at the fiercely glowing moon and the twinkling stars.The connection to nature was so strong.

The plan was to go dancing after the night desert walk,but after being there, the idea of being in a loudclub full of people is exactly what I didn't want.

Everything was perfect.

I want to thank everyone who walked up and visited,and came to my talks. YOU are the reason thatI keep writing and making videos, hoping to inspire more to trythe culture of life and love. Getting to meet everyonein person was the best thing I could have asked for.

A big thanks to the organizers, vendors, and speakersfor adding so much value to the event.Word to the wise: The cost of the ticketis minimal compared to the savings you getwhen you buy products at these festivals.I was getting too many deals, and was reallystruggling to get it all home this morning.

Next year we will meet again near Santa Barbara, CAwhere the music can go all night and we can allsleep under the stars.

And thanks to Philip from Lovingraw.com forgetting me to go this weekend. I had held offfor too long, and Philip convinced me that it was timeto go and see for myself. Ill be back for sure.

For all of you coming this weekend,my talk will be broken down into two sections:

The first part will be about multi-taskingwhile juicing or working out. Im going to demonstratesome exercise routines that I do and give some tipsto make them enjoyable so we can stay consistent about them.

Forget about a certain technique, the results willalways be found in consistency. The person doingany kind of exercise consistently will see results farfaster than someone going to a gym using fancy machinesonce or twice a week.

I like to improve my mind while I improve my physique,so I'll be sharing some tips about that as well.

Part two will cover The Model for Living Permaculture Project.Why, How, Ups and Downs, Plans for the future...You get the idea, or by tomorrow you surely will.

I'm appearing in some other places as of late too on the web.Im now a writer for the Huffington Post.I was shocked and honored to have been contacted by them,and there will be lots more to come from me over there.Here is my first post!

Two days ago I had an awesome talk with Dhrufrom Welikeitraw.com and luckily the whole thingwas recorded and is now online.Check the link HERE.Dhru has brought more mainstream people intoraw consciousness than probably anyone I know of.We are forever in debt for his commitmentand easy-going, approachable style.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

I'm a huge fan of podcasts,and one of my favorites is a weekly showon NPR called "Speaking of Faith".I really love this show.If you listen to a few of them,hopefully you will understand why I do.

This particular show features renowned authorBarbara Kingsolver. You might have heard of her.I had no idea until I heard an interview with heron this show about a year ago.

It inspired me to start reading the book,which I am now. Its great.

After about 5 minutes you will see howrelevant this interview is to this websiteand to the messages that I'm trying to convey here.

Remember, up until the 1940'swe all ate organic food grown locallyand sustainably. Now, it seems like a luxuryreserved only for the rich and snobby.Almost as if anyone doing this is some sortof elitist, when in reality, this IS BY FAR the most affordableand sane way to live. Elitism is having your water shippedin from Fiji or Iceland, and eating coconuts from Thailand.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Despite the severe disconnection from Naturethat affects most of our lives today, we are stillencased in the natural world.The bubble is an illusion.

Ive had some interesting run-inswith critters who have found my plantsto be equally tasty as I have.Here is the line-up:

This colorful fellow is the gypsy moth...(pre-moth stage).Guess what...they LOVE apricot leaves.They will turn into massive gypsy moths,and from what I've heard they are pretty rarearound the area. If we provide the habitat,the animals will come. ALWAYS.

Here is me pondering what to do.They really tore into one of the apricot trees.I wish I had chickens that I could feed them to.

Now, Im not claiming to be a saint here.I've killed many caterpillars eatingthe kohlrabis, cabbages, and cauliflowers,but these new guys were so much bigger.Does size play a role in the right to live or die?Sounds funny, but if you consider it, you might find it to be true.

Even the type of animal makes a difference.What if rats were eating your produce?Would it be easier to shoot them dead instead ofa rabbit who was doing the exact same thing?Can you see how biased we all are?

So what did I do?

We put them in a jar for a couple of daysand fed them some other leaves.Later on we let them out further away.That is my dad's writing. Funny guy.

Alright...moving on.

The tenacious woodchuck.

(Photo courtesy of Alaska Dept of Fish and Game)

This little furry MONSTER will devour a garden.They have ferocious appetitesand have no qualms about taking one biteout of a cucumber and then moving on.Cute though, right?

When all the trex deck materials were piled inthe yard, one made a home underneath it all.You should have seen the hole.

A day after we noticed it, he hit the cabbages above.

I didnt feel like killing him, although every othergardener I know in the area would surelystick a pitchfork in one if their livelihood was in danger.

Often common is dropping smoke bombs inside the holeand basically gassing them.That seems horrible, but if your livelihooddepends on raising food to sell, what do you do?Remember, they don't have all the time thatI do to play around. Its not all fun and games.

Instead, I stuck the water hosedown the hole and let it run.Not to drown him hopefully, but to make theden wet and unbearable to stay in.

No dead woodchuck (I think?)and after we moved the lumber,he never came back.

A book that I read a while ago,titled "This Organic Life" by Joan Dye Gussow,points out an obvious dichotomy between the ethicsof veganism and the large amount of animal deathsthat actually occur due to the raising of fruits and vegetables.

Animals are killed all the time because they compete withour food supply. The only way I can really see to avoid itis to grow our own and try to prevent the animals from getting in.If we still have problems with them,we can then try our best to treat the animals humanely.Maybe we could use live traps or have a dog near the garden.

We just can't escape death.In NATURE, death is an everyday occurrence.In order for us to live, other things must die.Sad but true...its a fact.This includes plants, animals, and sometimesin extreme cases unknown to us, people.We are so intricately connected, that we truly will neverknow the consequences. So with a humble heart, we mustat least honor the fact that because someone is vegandoesn't mean that animals were not harmed in thegrowing of all their food.

A big thing I realized this summer while startingthe garden and the orchard was how Iwasthe newcomer to the area. The deer, rabbits,woodchucks, squirrels, raccoons, and caterpillarshave all been there for millions of years.

"Some jerk human comes into the area and thinkshe owns the place?? You've got to be kidding us."

They are trying to eat the goodies, just like us.Killing them because of it might seem very lame,but some gardeners might see no other way out.

I haven't reached that point yet,but hey...I haven't had my garden massacred by animals.And its not like gardeners want to kill these animals,but when it comes down to who eats, well...

Vegans can act VERY holier than thou when it comesto that stuff. Ironically enough, they usually haven'traised bees, milked goats, raised chickens,OR EVEN GARDENED...so despite their ideals, their real life food-raisingexperience is usually minimal at best.

Vegans are some of the most conscious eaters onthe face of the Earth, but it doesn't give them thepermission to be self-righteous.And remember please...I AM a vegan...wait, I'm a bee-gan ;) .

Until we walked in someone else's shoes,we shouldn't be judging them.There are so many factors involved already,and farming is hard enough without animalseating all of the food meant for us.We just don't appreciate this fact at all.Our separation from Nature runs far deeper thanmost of us can actually deal with.

Can we do it differently? Sure, but many gardenersstill can't. Especially if they don't want to spray their plants,or are blessed to live in areas teeming with natural wildlife.

Instead, we can do our best to keep the animals out, and ifthey do take some of our produce, maybe consider it a tax paidto the Earth for finally being a part of Nature again.

Friday, September 5, 2008

From practically knowing nothing about them in Marchto being able to at least seem well-versed about them now,its been an interesting road traveled with my new bee friends.

Its not all sunshine though. Those ladies DO get crankyif you get up in their business too much.

I've been stung about 5 times so far,each time except one was my fault.

Why did I get stung? Good question.My hives were too close to my working areas.The guy building my deck was taking up the spacewhere I planned to tuck away my hives, so I hadto have them more out in the open temporarilywhere the greenhouse will eventually be.

Dont get me wrong though...if you are conscious,and move slowly and methodically,you can walk around the hives very closelyand not ever get stung. I would actually sit in a chair2 feet in front of the hive and watch the comingsand goings of all the lovely ladies collecting pollen.

I have found that its a wonderful mediation techniqueactually. To sit there for 30 minutes and just watchthe activity...it will change you if you do it long enough.

But once in a great while, I would be making toomuch commotion or my dad would have botheredthem by checking the honeycombs, and thenI would get it from one of the defensive bees.No biggie, but just so we all know.

If you have bees, have them situated so people don'thave to do things close to the hives.Bees will rarely sting you if they are just flyingaround looking for pollen. It just seems that whenwe are close to their hive, that they get a little tense.

I have never smoked my bees, and have notcollected honey or pollen from them this year.I have protected them from wasps who wereferociously attempting to take over the hiveby sitting above and smooshing them with a cedar stick.Check this picture. I was never stung doing this.

I wore masks while moving the hives but otherwise no.***BIG DISCLAIMER***I'm not advising anyone to do anything unsafe.You are all big girls and boys and you need tomake a wise decision based on sound researchand what you are able to handle. If you areallergic, you need to really consider the prosand cons of raising bees on your own.

If you get stung, don't blame me.I spent all my money on this project anyways,so it would be like squeezing blood from a turnip.

See the wasps? We are protecting them the bees.All those vegan nuts that say beekeepers simplyuse and abuse their bees need to wake up.Small organic beekeepers are in a symbioticpartnership with bees. Its just somethingthat vegans who are disconnected from the REALEarth need to get wise about.

Here is my viewpoint...smooshing the waspswith a cedar stick. Never killed one bee.You should have seen how the bees wouldtackle these wasps. But the weaker hive wasgetting overwhelmed and the human elementfinally had to play a part in the dance.

Here's a thought...in pure nature, would thosewasps have taken over? Probably.One hive is VERY strong though, and youshould have seen how impossible it wasfor the wasps to get in that one. There was no chance.The guard bees would beat them up every time.

For tens and even hundreds of thousands of years,humans have been shaping the natural world,and today is no different.

Funny thing though...the bees never bother my dad.Well...maybe just a little bit. But while we were workingon the greenhouse, I was all decked out with my jacketand headmask, and he was just wearing this.Not stung once. You should have seen the bees ALL over.

He wears my old skateboard t-shirts from high school..I just love that. The shorter hive is the weak one.

Here he is checking out the wasp situation.

SO...to wrap it up...Any semi-intelligent person should by now realizethat bees are great for pollination, and when teamedup with humanity, a partnership develops that canbe beneficial for ALL...especially Mother Earth.A few bee stings here and there (even in the face)are the price for all of that. By taking just afew precautions, your chances of getting stungare very low. Just don't wear black clothes.They really don't like black clothes.The beatniks would not have been happy beekeepers.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Cucumbers came first for me...two a day, seconds old.I am SO ruined when it comes to cucumbers now.Perhaps nothing will compare to the ones I had last week....

We've all got to pay the bills somehow,so I'm back in NY to make it happen.

Make no mistake, as frugal as this whole project really is,I have not taken out any loans and it ALWAYScost more than what one would believe at first.

I thought the trex deck would cost about $5000.Multiply that by 3 and you'd be in the ballpark.

Still. This is for the long run, as all permaculture really is.Blessed are those who can plant a tree and wait patientlyfor 3 years before they are rewarded with fruit.

Its a bit strange to be back in this man-made-messcalled a city, but I'm adjusting quicker than I thought.

How did I cope? I bought a wonderful fig tree at theUnion Sq Greenmarket today. $18!

Now that is FAR cheaper than I would have expected.I dont know how I'll get a four foot fig tree to MN,but I'll worry about that when the time comes.

Ok...picture time.

These are "Black Krim" tomatoes.Again, I'm spoiled forever.

This was my first year, and I did have a lot of tomatoplants, but I came out with over 250 tomatoes.Multiply that by the crazy whole foods price of about$3 a tomato (for heirloom organic) and you can seewhy its worth growing your own.

AND...you grew it, you picked it, you made awonderful dish of it with your loved ones.No strangers involved really.

Its funny, I'd be up in the garden all morning withoutbreakfast, and around noon I would come down to eat.Stopping myself a few times, I would remember:"The food is HERE. Stay and enjoy."

(using my picking pouch...my t-shirt)

When you eat these tomatoes, you will now knowwhy they are really classified as fruits.That dark red beauty pictured above is a Cherokee Purple.Simply divine.

These are some Shintokiwa Cucumbers.Finest above all so far.Click HERE for more info...Grown from seed...nothing more satisfying.

Here is a darling watermelon that I had to leavebehind...maybe my parents can mail it to us?? Wink wink ;)

Notice those massive leaves all around?SQUASH! If you want to create a lusciousliving wall full of foliage, go with squash.

You wont get the same effect with most melonsand I couldnt imagine tomatoes ever coming close.Go with squashes if you want quick results.

One of my better kohlrabis.Blend the leaves in a smoothie(they are VERY similar to red russian kale)and mince or dice the ball below for a salador to create raw sushi rice. A great substitutefor jicama. I love this vegetable for its diverse uses.

Here is a tip. Do NOT grow these or anyof its relatives in the brassica family(kale, collards, cabbage, broccoli)UNLESS...you want to be picking off caterpillars...LOTS.Little white "butterflies" will magically appearand start to lay eggs on these plants.

I would go over each one every other day and clean them up,but this is a hassle to say the least.If you do choose to grow them, as you should,because they are great and are wonderfullate season crops, keep them separate and puta netting over them that will allow sunlight inbut will still keep out those butterflies.

Beside that though, NOTHING else was touched.I even saw a rabbit in my garden once,and even had a woodchuck take up a residencenot more than 6 feet from the garden,and the only things injured were brassicas,mostly cabbage and kohlrabi.

Were my other fruits more mineralized and impervious?Maybe mineralized, but impervious...? Come on.Still...not one thing touched my cukes, tomatoes, or anything else.I did continuous sprays of putrified eggs and garlic aroundthe perimeter of the garden, so maybe that really did the trick.

Still...Im in the middle of the woods. There are deer everywhere,and many more little creatures. Maybe there was food elsewhere?Anyhow, I'm more than thankful that I didn't have toresort to brutal violence to get rid of them.KIDDING!!!

Inspired at all? Its not too late to start,even if you live in the northern latitudes of the world.Many greens can still be started,as can radishes and more.

If you live in the south, get some good soil andGET OUT THERE! Plant some seedsand show some love...you cant go wrong.

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***DISCLAIMER***

Anthony Anderson is NOT a medical doctor and takes no responsibility in the use or misuse of any of his ramblings on this or any other form of media. You are big kids! Think for yourself! All the information in this blog is offered as-is, for informational purposes ONLY. Much of the information here, although medically referenced, exists outside the realm of conventional, accepted medical practice. The user of this information assumes all risks for its use or misuse. In no event shall the writer of this blog or any other person or entity involved in the production of this information be held liable for any damages stemming from the use or misuse of this information. Your continued reading of this blog indicates your acceptance of these terms and conditions.